What happens during professional teeth cleaning visit for my cat?

For proper dental evaluation and care, your cat must be safely placed under general anesthesia. Anesthesia allows the veterinarian to thoroughly examine the mouth, noting any abnormalities in your cat’s medical record.

"For proper dental care your cat must be placed under general anesthesia."

The examination usually includes dental X-rays and probing to evaluate gum bleeding and periodontal pockets where food can accumulate and decay if not properly cared for.

How are my cat’s teeth cleaned?

After the mouth is evaluated and diseased teeth are noted on your cat’s medical chart, tooth scaling will be performed, using both hand and ultrasonic scalers, to remove tartar above and below the gum line. The tartar below the gum line causes the most significant periodontal disease, so its removal is important.

If periodontal disease is advanced, it may not be possible to save badly affected teeth. These teeth will need to be extracted.

After scaling, the teeth are polished to decrease the rate of subsequent plaque build-up. Sealer application is recommended to decrease plaque accumulation.

Why can't tartar and plaque be removed with a human dental scaler?

Although you can remove some of the accumulated tartar on the tooth that is visible in cats that are cooperative, there are three problems with doing this:

• Only the visible tartar is removed. This leaves plaque and tartar below the gum line which will continue to cause periodontal problems.

• It is neither possible nor safe to clean the inner surfaces of the teeth properly in a conscious cat.

• The use of any instrument on the tooth enamel will cause microscopic scratches on the surface which will ultimately damage the tooth surface, leading to further disease - this is the reason your dental hygienist always polishes your teeth after removing tartar with dental instruments.

Do I have to make an appointment for my cat to have a dental scaling and polishing?

Yes. Your veterinarian will perform pre-anesthetic tests and examine your pet for underlying disorders prior to the procedure and may determine that antibiotic treatment should be prescribed in advance.

How can I prevent tartar accumulation after the procedure?

Plaque and tartar begin forming in as little as six hours after your cat's dental cleaning. A home dental care program is a must. Your veterinarian will provide you with detailed instructions on how to brush or rinse your cat's teeth. Plaque and tartar accumulation can be decreased by rubbing a Q-tip along the gum line daily.